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Monday, August 13, 2012

The NB Student's Association is concerned Acadian Line's decision to pull out of the Maritimes will make things a lot more difficult for university students, and maybe even discourage students from coming here.

The Association issuing a statement saying it's a perfect opportunity for other companies to come in and fill the gap...and there's great potential for the routes to turn a profit, provided companies consult with proper interest groups on where they enter the market.

Acadian will stop intercity bus service in the Maritimes as of November 30th.

A city police officer is on trial for assault causing bodily harm, uttering a death threat and assault. Constable Chris Messer has pleaded not guilty.21 year old Randy King claims he was picked up on a warrant for his arrest and while inside the police car was punched in the back of his head by Messer 6 to 10 times, dragged out of the cruiser and had a boot placed on his throat.

King testified Messer accused him of breaking into his house which he denies. King does have a record of breakins. Two days later, 28 bullets were fired into Messer's home. Defense lawyer Brian Munro told King a Monte Carlo belonging to his uncle was seen leaving the area.47 year old Brent McAdam testified Messer accused him of breaking into his house on Westfield Road and threatened him saying he would send four low life scum to his house and blow his head off.

Munro told McAdam his vehicle had been flagged after breakins on Westfield Road and the names found in a black book inside his car raised police concerns.

The latest housing stats shows a decrease of about 50% compared to last year in the number of new homes being built in Saint John.

New housing starts are also down significantly in Moncton and Fredericton. President of the Saint John Real Estate Board Jason Stephen tells CHSJ news he's not shocked by the figures. He says when there's so much selection on the market, there's no big demand to build new houses.

On the other side of the coin, Stephen says this is great news for buyers, since interest rates are at an all time low and there's plenty of selection.

For sellers, it does mean some houses will take longer to unload and they'll have to be negotiable.

A warning from the Conservation Council which charges too much clear cutting and spraying of herbicides are wiping out huge portions of forests and wildlife habitat.

The Conservation Council has released maps which show deforestation and degradation.

It's Acadian Forest Campaign Director Tracy Glynn tells CHSJ News everyone in the province should be concerned because forests regulate the flow of water to prevent flooding and filter water so that our wetlands, rivers and lakes have clean water. She goes on to say 30 watersheds in the province are at risk.

The Conservation Council is calling on the provincial government to revisit its forest policy because it claims thirty watersheds are at risk because of excessive cutting in public forests.

Common Council is looking to restructure the city's boards, agencies and commissions with the possible elimination of some and merger of others to make them more efficient and effective.

Common Councillor Susan Fullerton is proposing something else........That all appointees to these board, commissions and agencies have a criminal background check as means of protecting the public and the city.

Meantime, Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart is calling for Common Council to get behind the effort by the Saint John Hotel Association to have NB Liquor set up what's called a boutique liquor store in the uptown.

The lack of a liquor store in the uptown is viewed as being bad for tourism. The closest liquor store to the uptown is at Prince Edward Square.